IPL 2022 Final: Gujarat vs Rajasthan Preview
After 73 matches stretching over two months, it all comes down to the grand finale with the Gujarat Titans locking horns with the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29. While the new entrants Gujarat eye their maiden IPL crown, Rajasthan would be eager to lift the title for the first time after the inaugural edition in 2008.
It is to be noted that the Hardik Pandya-led side have the advantage over Sanju Samson & Co. heading into the summit clash as they have defeated the Royals twice this season – A 37-run win in the group fixture and a seven-wicket victory in Qualifier 1. Therefore, RR must play out of their skins if they are to hold that trophy aloft for a second time.
Gujarat have been the most consistent team this year, having won 10 of the 14 league-matches after which they earned a direct final berth. Their batting and bowling are clicking at the right time. However, the focus is on their lethal middle-order that has ended up demoralising the opposition teams throughout the competition.
Rajasthan, on the other hand, have showcased a far better performance compared to the previous editions. More importantly, they have the Orange Cap and Purple Cap favourites in their arsenal. While star opener Jos Buttler is sitting comfortably at the top of the Orange Cap list with 824 runs, wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal needs just one wicket away to claim the Purple Cap.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI
Gujarat Titans
The Gujarat Titans will not be looking to make any changes to their playing XI unless there are some injury concerns. This means that young Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz will have to wait another day to feature in GT’s playing XI as there is already tough competition in the squad.
Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph Mohammed Shami
Rajasthan Royals
After a wake-up call in Qualifier 1, a determined Rajasthan Royals ensured that they did not blow up their second chance as they outplayed RCB in all departments to rightfully earn a final berth. RR had shown faith in their XI in the second Qualifier and the team management would be resorting to the same strategy in the final as well.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy
